Confronting the covid-19 pandemic in Rio Grande do Norte: participation of social control: a participação do controle social

Abstract

Introduction: A pandemic can be described as an epidemiological event characterized by the spread of an infectious disease globally. The covid-19 pandemic triggered a scenario of uncertainties and, to face it, it was necessary to take decisions and to do the monitoring of the public administration and the of the State Health Council (CES in Portuguese) during this crisis in Rio Grande do Norte. Objective: To report the experience of the social control in facing the covid-19 pandemic in partnership with the State Secretariat of Public Health in Rio Grande do Norte. Methodology: This is an experience report of the actions developed by CES, during the covid-19 pandemic, between the months from March 2020 to July 2021. Results: In the developed actions by CES, in partnership with the state administration, work plans, activity programming, bidding processes for the acquisition of supplies and equipment, adequacy of services, structuring of hospital units, selection and hiring of health professionals, monitoring and evaluation of implemented interventions, were discussed as well as the constant coordination with the municipal health councils for the legitimate exercise of their attributions, monitoring and inspection. Conclusion: It was shown that the dynamism, commitment and responsibility of the CES/RN in its role as a social control body was evident, assuming its unrestricted role in defending the constitutional rights of the population in this time of pandemic. Finally, that reflects the values of the Unified Health System (SUS in Portuguese) with regard to the application of its principles and guidelines, seeking to value life and social control for the implementation of the SUS.